HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD! With a song!

Come - Hike with me!

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Saturday, January 30, 2016
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD! With a song!
1/30/2016
 
Just a note to remember Dad with a bit of a metaphorical song I wrote a few years ago.  Dad has been gone since July of 1966, but he was born Jan. 31st, 1907 - making tomorrow, Jan 31st, his birthday.  I guess that would make him 109 years old if he were alive today.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!
 
About the song, on July 1st, 2009, I was looking for a place to hike in private about 20 miles east of Laramie and I parked along side a road to get out and take a look at the country side.  It just so happened that a passerby stopped to ask me if I needed help.  I told him, No, but I was looking for a hilly or mountainous area where I could hike in private from time to time.  He and his wife were on their way to church up the road, but this one told me that I could hike up a mountain outside his place a few miles back.  So while they went on to church, using this one's directions, I back tracked to their place and proceeded to hike the area that the kind couple had given me permission to hike.
 
I was not looking for anything in particular, but I found a rather small rock mountain out of the way a bit and hiked to it and up it.  After hiking this little rock mountain, surrounded by prairie with lots of sage brush and cactus, I rested at the bottom and took out my pad and wrote the following song.  It is not much, but it somewhat offers my vision of life.  I think Dad would have liked it; and you might too.  See it below if you like.  Keep in mind that Dad's name was Leo; and that is why I labeled my little rock mountain - LEO'S MOUNTAIN. 
 
Surrounded by cactus, you really have to watch where you are going - and I have had difficulty taking a dog with me because it is so easy for those quills to end up in a bare foot - but if anyone is ever visiting Laramie, you may enjoy the hike.  If so, when you come, let's go!  We can even pack a picnic and make it a day if you like.
 
After I named my little out of the way edifice, LEO'S MOUNTAIN, I looked down into a valley below and noticed a smaller crop of rocks surrounded by valley.  Having called the larger rock mountain after Leo, I decided to name the crop of rocks below by the name of CLARA'S HILL, after Mom whose name was Clara.  What the heck!  Right?  If I remember to do it on Mom's birthday, April 12th, I will feature CLARA'S HILL too, but for now, it's Dad's time; and out of memory of a very quiet, but kind, man, I am glad I can share my song.  Enjoy it as you will.  OK?
 
Have a Good One, Everybody!
 
Thanks!
 
Gently,
 
Francis William Bessler
www.una-bella-vita.com
 

 

LEO’S MOUNTAIN

By

Francis William Bessler

Laramie, Wyoming

7/1/2009

 

Dedicated to the memory of my Dad,

whose name was Leo.

 

REFRAIN:

I’m standing here on Leo’s Mountain.

On Leo’s Mountain, I’m learning to care.

I’m standing here on Leo’s Mountain;

and Leo’s Mountain is standing here.

 

I’m standing here on Leo’s Mountain.

I’m pondering life’s grand mystery.

I delight in all I see around me;

and I have little doubt of my Divinity. 

Refrain.

 

I’m standing here on Leo’s Mountain.

I’m watching the birds flying in the sky.

I’m so glad I can be among them

and learn that all I need to do is try. 

Refrain.

 

I’m standing here on Leo’s Mountain.

I’m talking to God and I’m wondering why

people don’t realize we’re all God’s children.

Why is there between us such a great divide?

Refrain.

 

What you may ask is Leo’s Mountain?

It is where a lion becomes like a lamb.

It is where all anger is forgotten.

It’s where the meek meet to understand.  

Refrain.

 

I’m standing here on Leo’s Mountain;

and I’m calling from here to all mankind.

Let’s give up our fears and embrace in kindness

because, in fact, we are all Divine. 

Refrain.

 

FINISH: (Repeat last verse:)

I’m standing here on Leo’s Mountain;

and I’m calling from here to all mankind.

Let’s give up our fears and embrace in kindness

because, in fact, we are all Divine. 

Refrain (twice).